Somehow I lost my second ignition key and after looking everywhere I could think of, I gave up and went to my local dealer to make me a new key.

Well, for starters, the key blank costs $22 !!! It has a computer
chip embedded in the plastic part about 3/4" long, according to the parts manager.

Next, they have to have your truck for about an hour and they will charge you at least a half hour shop time (at $80/ Hour) to
"burn" in a new key with their computer. $47 shop time.

So, you're out the door for around $70 plus tax.

The moral of this story is this: Don't lose your ignition key!!!!
The service guy told me that if you tried to use a key that wasn't
the right key (with the computer chip burned properly) it will automatically shut down your complete vehicle computer system and it will not start again, even with the right ignition key. Now, he said, "You're in for a really nice fat bill to have your truck towed in and we have a couple of shop hours to get everything working properly again."

BillVoyles
_______________________
'99 Red Regular Cab Step-Side

 

Yeppers, that's why I made a third key a part of the deal. I'll do it again when I turn in the '99 at some point.

 

I read in the user's manual that if you get a key made, you can stick this unprogrammed key in your own ignition and program it that way. i'm not sure how long it takes to program, maybe a couple of seconds ? i'm sure it really doesn't take half an hour to burn a code into a chip. thats how dealers are

 

I had mine done with only one key at a local locksmith/home sercurity store. They charged me $58 for the key and programming. The put a blank key in the ignition and hooked up a computer (kinda looks like one of those Hypertech Power Programmers) into the diagnostic port under the dash. It took about 15 minutes to program the key. Try calling a few locksmiths in town. My local Ford dealer wanted $80.00 for a extra spare.

 

Just an FYI

I am a dealer that works with PATS key everyday, here are a few miths and facts about the system

1) If you put in an unprogramed key and try to start the truck it will never start untill you take it to the dealer--WRONG--the truck will shut down for about 30 sec. after that if you try to start it with a programed key it will start.

2)If you lose 1 key and only have 1 left the dealer has to hook up his scanner, clear all key programs out of memory. Then he can reprogram the keys back into memory(up to a max of 6 keys I think). This prosess takes us about 30min @ $42 per hr my shop time.

3)If you have 2 programed keys you can get a unprogramed PATS key cut it for the doors and ignition and program it with the 1st 2 keys(takes about 10sec)

4)Yes the PATS keys are $20--If you only want to open the door and not start the truck, just get a normal key cut($3).
****THIS KEY WILL NOT START THE TRUCK****


Sorry this is so long--hope it helps clear some things up

Matt